Our founder, Chiho Sasaki, presented a research paper co-authored with Professor Yasuyuki Hirai of Kyushu University on December 4th at IASDR 2025 (International Association of Societies of Design Research) held in Taipei, Taiwan. IASDR is one of the world’s leading design research communities, and its biannual conference brings together participants from academia, education, and industry.
The theme for the 2025 conference was “Design Next,” aiming to expand the scope of design and explore new possibilities for real-world practice. The conference featured a diverse set of tracks, including More Than Human-Centered Design, Design Futuring, Design, Art & Technology, Human-Centered AI, Design Thinking & Co-creation, and Service & Social Innovation.
Chiho presented her paper, “Structuring Empathy in Post-Human-Centered Design: A Comparative Framework for Entity Representations,” in the More Than Human-Centered Design track. The study examines three types of entity representations used in early-stage design—real individuals, personas, and AI-generated personas—and analyzes how each shapes the structure of empathy in design practice. It also connects these findings to ongoing discussions about re-imagining Human-Centered Design and advancing inclusive design, resonating strongly with this year’s theme, Design Next.
Through this presentation, Chiho shared work that bridges her long-standing industry experience with her academic research, contributing to international dialogue on the future of design. Her research will continue to support design as a means of delivering meaningful value for society.